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Cooper grad Hopes breaks 15-year-old McMurry high jump record

Marc David, Special to the Abilene Reporter-News
Published 5:22 p.m. CT April 18, 2018

Cooper's Tiyoshi Hopes misses on his first attempt at 6 feet, 7 inches in the boys high jump. He ended up finishing third in the event with a 6-6 on April 29, 2016 at the Region I-5A track and field meet at Lowrey Field in Lubbock.(Photo: Picasa)

McMurry sophomore Tyoshi Hopes knew he had it in him. Knowing and doing are two different things.

Then came the War Hawks Classic in late March. Hopes, a former Cooper standout, was amped up for the rare home meet. Would the adrenaline rush work for him or against him?

Hopes answered definitively when he hoisted his slender 6-foot-2 body over the bar into what many high jumpers consider the Promised Land – the 7-foot barrier. His teammates rushed over and the celebration began.

“It was pretty exciting,” the soft-spoken Hopes said of his 7-0¼ jump that erased Rory Peacock’s 15-year-old school record. “One of my goals was getting to seven feet, and I got it. With the home crowd, I was pretty pumped up and ready to go at it.”

McMurry is a proud Division III program that at times has over-achieved because of athletes like Hopes, who may not be hyped when they arrive on campus but then seem to find themselves. Former McMurry coach Barb Crousen started a tradition that Brad Parris has followed, and the War Hawks are recognized throughout the country for their success that includes two national championships in 10 years.

Hopes, who doubles as a long jumper, said he once cleared 6-9 in the high jump at Cooper. His best jump in high school competition was 6-6. Last year at Western Texas College, Hopes was successful at getting his academics in order but not so successful in the jumps. Nevertheless, Parris saw something in Hopes to want him to return home to Abilene. And Hopes was more than happy to do just that.

“He is one of the most humble kids I’ve ever coached,” Parris said. “He is very grounded. He is the type of kid who is very talented and doesn’t take it for granted. We’ve helped him and he has certainly helped us. He is the type of athlete you want to see succeed, because he works so hard, takes coaching well and sets such a great example.”

That great example was on display recently when Hopes went to Clack Middle School to mentor students. Hopes didn’t have to be asked twice whether he would appear at the middle school he had attended.

Parris marvels at how unassuming Hopes is and shared a story that occurred early last semester. Hopes walked daily to and from his Abilene home to McMurry and didn’t tell a soul. It wasn’t until it was discovered that he was walking that McMurry officials offered him a ride.

“That’s just the type of kid he is,” Parris said. “He doesn’t ask anything from anyone.”

Now that Hopes has eclipsed the 7-foot mark, he has set the bar even higher.

“I think I can go 7-2,” Hopes said with a quiet confidence that is his trademark. “I cleared 7-1 once but clipped the bar with my heels. I think I can go higher.”

While Parris has no intentions of burning Hopes out, the War Hawks will “ride their horse” this weekend at the American Southwest Conference Championships at McMurry. Naturally, Hopes will high jump where he is a heavy favorite to win. He will long jump and is expected to be a top finisher as well. And Parris hinted there is a good chance he will add Hopes into the triple jump.

But don’t figure on any “jumping” around on his part if Hopes wins one or any events. That is simply not in the makeup of this humble, likable young man.